Click to enlarge.The new Hyundai Tucson / ix35 will be premiered globally in the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, on Sept 15 2009. European press suggest that the engine line-up will include a turbocharged petrol and a diesel engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission, first seen in Hyundai's flagship Grandeur / Azera (before the Genesis launch) should also be included, though it is hard to say this new transmission will be available to Tucson models globally. Hyundai's current flagship, the Genesis was already too far ahead in its development schedule to have the unit included. Instead the Genesis uses a ZF unit for its V8 models and a Aisin unit for its V6 models.
Hyundai is among the only 3 car companies in the world to have develop a 6-speed transaxle transmission in-house (the other being Toyota and a GM-Ford JV). Other maker's 6-speed transmission units are sourced from transmission specialists like ZF Friedrichshafen or Getrag. Another interesting thing is that Hyundai's new transmission is said to be maintenance free - it has no dipstick and the automatic transmission fluid is said to last the "lifetime of the car" to reduce maintenance cost. Sidetrack from the Tuscon - this is something which I have yet to understand. An engineer acquaintance specialising in lubricants for heavy machineries told me that in his career he has yet to come across lubricants that don't breakdown and lasts a lifetime. The keyword here is what is the designed lifespan of the vehicle? European companies generally consider it as 10 years plus. I need to stress that this is not a criticism against Hyundai's transmission but regarding this new trend of maintenance free, lasts a lifetime lubricants, extended service intervals that on some car models goes until 30,000km before requiring an oil change.
Back to the Tuscon, it is quite likely that the Tucson name will be dropped inline with HMSB's new naming convention - following an i prefix for all its newer models. The x is supposed to denote crossover / cross-country capable vehicles. Not that there is any risk in dropping the Tucson badge. There isn't much positive association by the general public on the Tucson badge anyway. Now that the local Hyundai's earlier chaotic dual channel sales operation (Kah Bintang and Hyumal) have all been rationalised under HMSB. This should put a stop to Kah Bintang's ridiculous accessories package, whose poor taste and low quality tacky chrome bits, tacky rear spoilers with fake third brake lights is often subject of ridicule.
Image from Hyundai Blog, via IAB.
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